With times different from previous editions, Michelin has provided a wide enough choice of tires to be able to test in all conditions. Piero Taramasso, Michelin Motorsport 2-wheel manager, explains the available choice here.
“This circuit is quite difficult for us because there is sometimes sand on the track. In this case the surface is more abrasive, and the wear is greater compared to other circuits.
“We also have to take into account the humidity level (editor’s note: which has nothing to do with the percentage of risk of precipitation), because when this humidity arrives, it makes the circuit more slippery.
“You need grip, durability, whether the circuit is dry or not, and the tire heats up quickly. It's quite complicated.
“We brought 3 front tires and 3 rear tires. For the front, there is a soft and a medium, tires that we know as well as the teams because they were used last year. There is a hard front that we tried at Sepang and Buriram where it gave very good results. We offer it here to the teams, and if it performs well we will bring it for the race.
“For the rear, we have three solutions: soft, medium and hard. The soft has a new compound intended to ensure better performance and a higher level of grip. The medium and hard are the ones we used here last year in racing.
“Regarding the driving test on a wet track, this is something new. The weather here is unstable, it rained yesterday, and the day before yesterday too. We came with two rain tires, a soft and a medium. We will see during the wet tests on the last day which of the two is the best solution. »
Photos © Michelin (Sepang and Buriram 2018 tests)
Source: motogp.com / Dorna Videopass
